In Brasilia, we had an enthusiastic reception by Telma Marques and Rosimere Teles, who we knew because they participated in the exchange in Indonesia, and also by Nara of COIAB (COICA base) and of course by Sonia Guajajara, one of the leaders of APIB we already knew.
The leaders of APIB repeated their joy at seeing delegations from other countries for the first time in the most important event for the Brazilian indigenous movement (organized since 14 years); they insisted that for them the incidence at the global level is very important, since their government tries to give abroad a very positive image of its work with the indigenous peoples , when in fact it is implementing a systematic policy of regression on rights already acquired , In particular by curbing all ongoing titling processes. Hence one of the main messages of the event: «Demarcaçao Ja!» (Demarcation now!).
The similarities of the Brazilian context with situations in delegates’ countries, with advances in mega projects, mining, agrobusiness and the criminalization and murder of indigenous leaders, were clear. This situation has been accentuated in recent years, threatening rights already acquired by indigenous people and quilombolas, but also by workers, which explains that there was a general strike on April 28 (which APIB supported).
For this reason, the Tierra Libre camp had the largest participation in history, with more than 4000 participants for 5 days in the capital, where the powers that affect them (executive, legislative and judicial) gather.
During this meeting, in addition to workshops combined with spaces for testimony, APIB organized two marches, in which the delegation participated. The first, above all, had a moment of confrontation with the police that guarding the Congress, and therefore had an important media coverage.
There were special moments of encounter with the visiting delegation, where it could address the plenary, showing their solidarity; the delegation also prepared and gave an invitation to APIB to join the joint global advocacy actions on the four points of agreement (recognition of territorial rights, demand for free, prior and informed consultation processes, implementation of territorial funds and denunciation of the criminalization of leaders).
The delegation also participated in the presentation of Handcrafted videos about Indonesia, Peru and Panama the night of Thursday 27, adding their testimonies to the images.
Finally, the delegation had a working meeting with APIB where joint activities were planned for the future.
Big thanks to Maria Paula Fernandes of Uma Gota no Oceano without whose enthusiastic support it would not have been possible to organize this exchange.